Goldweight [Crossed Swords] 19th-20th century

Editor: So, this is a brass sculpture entitled "Goldweight [Crossed Swords]" made by the Akan people sometime in the 19th or 20th century. The crossed swords make me think about power, conflict, maybe even justice. What significance do these crossed swords hold within the Akan culture? Curator: The “Goldweight [Crossed Swords]” functions beyond mere aesthetics; it operates within a deeply embedded socio-political context. These weights weren’t just tools for measuring gold, they were potent visual statements. How might the imagery of crossed swords reflect the complex history of trade, power, and intercultural exchange within the Akan states? Editor: So it's more than just an aesthetic representation, but an insight into how the Akan states were built, on what principles... Curator: Precisely. These goldweights served as proverbs in metal. The crossed swords, in particular, could symbolize oaths, alliances, or even the consequences of broken trust within a legal framework. This also begs the question: Who was authorized to possess and utilize these weights? What kind of authority do you think they represented? Editor: Someone with power or status, because you need gold to use these in the first place, but the sword visual gives off political meaning, too. Curator: Exactly. Goldweights embody the convergence of economic power and legal and moral authority. Editor: This reframes how I see the sculpture; it isn't simply decorative, but a vital clue to Akan society. Curator: It shows that art is really about how societies function and is intrinsically interwoven with culture and societal values. Editor: Absolutely, seeing this as part of a broader societal structure makes a big difference.